Young people have spoken out about their important role in the community in an aim to change perceptions about the youth of the town.
The hard-working volunteers have been highlighted by the I Am More Than campaign, which aims to change the inaccurate perception that young people are troublemakers.
The campaign has been launched by SoLUTiONs, Luton’s Community Safety Partnership of organisations that work together in the town to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour.
Sapna, George, Tania, Mustii, Sawon, Ahmer and Muhsin are a group of 16-18 year-olds who spend their spare time trying to educate other young people in the town on topical issues such as drugs, alcohol, smoking and relationships. The group is called YEL.
Ahmer said of his voluntary role: “It’s important we don’t come across as teachers because many young people are alienated from the classroom. We need to be active and use lots of different strategies to interest the group we are with.”
Tania added: “For me, it’s about young people being active and willing to give something back to the community. I also really enjoy the group thing, working together.”
The group meets three times a month and was set up by Luton Borough Council youth worker Kerrie Virgo.
Kerrie said: “Young people need information to make informed life choices. But the way that information is delivered is important too. Who better to talk to them about the issues affecting them but young people themselves? We provide our young educators with the skills and resources and off they go.”